Saturday, August 22, 2009

India pledges support for security forces during PM Nepal’s visit

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: India pledged support for Nepal’s security services during the just-concluded first official visit of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to the southern neighbour even as the peace process and proposed integration of Maoist combatants into Nepal Army and society has been delayed and stalled.India will provide IRs 320 crores for a National Police Academy and New Delhi increased quota for training of Nepali officials, including police personnel.Maoists have opposed supply of weapons for security agencies which they argue is against the spirit of the 12-point New Delhi accord that brought them into the political mainstream with New Delhi’s help.India, according to a joint statement, has agreed to invest another IRs 9.2 crores for a central depository system to promote the information technology sector.India has agreed to construct a polytechnic in Hetauda, two checkposts at Birgunj and Jogbani, cross-border rail links and road networks.Commerce secretaries of the two countries initialed signatures of proposed trade and unauthorized trade control agreements.Nepal and India discussed security issues, including the open border.“For what was reason was history’s most successful visit a failure? Was it unsuccessful for signing accords which he [Prachanda] couldn’t achieve?” Nepal asked reporters rejecting the Maoist chairman’s claim the visit was a failure.The prime minister revealed he discussed resumption of suspended weapons supplies after a royal takeover of 2005.“The peace accord doesn’t prohibit the purchase of weapons for the police force, so we can procure supplies for it if there is la need,” Nepal told reporters Saturday after returning from the Indian capital.“We also talked about non-lethal support and other possible aid for Nepal Army that aren’t against the peace agreement,” Nepal added. Nnnn

Defence minister Bidya Bhandari against visiting India

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: One day after the return of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal from Nepal, Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari is again flying for New Delhi for an unofficial visit.She is going for a medical check-up.She suffers from cancer. Nnnn